There is no single academic path we expect all students to follow, but the strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math (see website for specific math guidance); four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language. Apply as a first-year student if you have completed less than a full year of college course work.

Each year, we accept a small group (12 on average) of exceptional students to transfer to Harvard College from other similar liberal arts programs. Admitted students come from a range of educational institutions - community colleges, public and private universities in the U.S., and international universities. To be eligible to transfer, you must have completed at least one continuous academic year in a full-time, in-person degree program at one college and not more than two academic years. You must complete at least two full years of study at Harvard. Once a student has completed more than two years total of college at another institution, regardless of courses taken, that student is no longer eligible for transfer admission.